Automatic sprinkler.



J. KLEIDMANN.

. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY IBIS-- 1 177,339. Patented Mar. 28,1916.

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WITNESS IIVI/ENTOR mm W jd. ATM/M72 THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

J. KLEIDMANN. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

APPLICATION min lULY I. 1 315.

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BY d J}; ATTORNE Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

I. KLEIDMANN.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER. APPLICATION FILED JULY 1. 1915.

1,177,339. Paten ted Mar. 28,1916.

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' INVEIVTOR r /tz AITOR/V THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co. WASHINGTON n r UNITED STATES FATENT GFFTQE.

JOSEPH KLEIDMANN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR; BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGN- I MENTS; TO NIAGARA AUTQMATIG FIRE SPRINKLER CO. INC., A CORIPQRATION' OF NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. July 1, 1915. Serial No. 37,456.

To all'whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, JosEPH KLEIDMANN, a subject of the Czar of Russia, and resident of the city of New York, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Sprinklers, of which the following is a specification.

The present inventionrelates to sprinklers for automatic fire extinguishing systems.

In devices of this type the valve or cap is usually held upon the sprinkler head by a valve support or strut, as the case may be, said support or strut comprising a plurality of parts, for instance tivo that are united by means of solder or a suitable alloy, which is fusible at a low temperature. The sprinklers are usually mounted near the ceiling of the several rooms of the building having the fire extinguishing system. The sprinklers stay there often for years without being put to use. As, from time to tlme, the rooms are white-washed or painted, some of the material used'for this purpose adheres to the sprinklers or fills up the gaps or recesses in the same. it is obvious, therefore, that in case of fire the solder or suitable alloy of metals used for joining the elements of the valve supports or struts may be fused by the raised temperature and still some elements will not separate. "To obvi ate these defects, it has been proposed heretofore to apply separating means, such as, for instance, springs between the elements of the valve supports or struts. In many cases, however, it has been; found that some springs, instead offulfilling their intended purpose, greatly prevent the separation of said elements for the simple reason that they are just as much covered with the material used in white-washing or painting as the struts or valve supports proper, and, in fact, they serve as a good hoid f r the tewash or paint adhering to the sprinklers; Another defect of the sprinklers heretofore in use consists in that the temperature at which the parts are to be separated cannot be regulated. for the simple reason that the melting point of a given solder is always the same.

The main obiect of the present invention is to ob iate'these defects, or in other words to provide a separating means which will separate the elements of the valve supports or struts even if the sprinklers be covered with foreign matter, and which means will operate at a point substantially below the melting point of the fusible material used for joining the said elements.

Another object of the invention isto produce a separating means for the elements of the valve support or strut, which can beregulated according to the desired temperature at which the said elements are to be separated.

portion of the several parts and details ofconstruction within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

A few of the many possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1' is a vertical section, partly in elevation, taken through an automatic sprinkler constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sideelevaticn of the val e holding strut thereof; Fig. 4 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the spraving wheel mounted thereon;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of said spraving wheel;-

Fig. 6 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, taken through a modified sprinkler; Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 77 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section taken through an element of the valve closing strut thereof; Fig.

'9 is a side elevation of another element of said strut: Fig 10 is a side elevation of the element shown in Fig. 9 looking from the other side thereof; Fig. 11 is a vertical secti n,.partlv in elevation. taken through .another modification of the inventirn ig.1) is a'section taken on line l2-12 of Fig. 11';

PatentedMaLZS, 1916.

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the strut shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, taken through a further modification of a sprinkler constructed in accordance with. the present invention; Fig. 15 is a section taken on line 1515 of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a side elevation of thestrut shown in Fig. 14; Fig. 17 is a vertical section, partly in elevation,-taken through a still further modification of the invention; Fig. 18 is a section taken on line 1818 of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is a section taken on line 1919 of Fig. 17 Fig. 20 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, taken through a modified sprinkler; Fig. 21 is a section taken on line 21--21 of Fig. 20; and Fig. 22 is a section taken on line 2222 of Fig. 20.

- Broadly speaking, the automatic sprinkler, forming the subject matter of the present application for Letters Patent, consists of a valve closing strut, that is made of a plurality of elements, which are joined by a fusible material, in combination with a separating device, consisting of an easily expansible substance, for instance a fluid, which is inclosedeither by one or more of said elements, and is adapted to convert heat into mechanical work, which is then used to separate the several elements of the strut. The expansible substance may act itself upon the ele ments of the strut, or its work may be transmitted to one or more of the elements by an interposed means, for instance a plunger or plungers, one end of which is in contact with the expansible substance and the other end of which is allowed to act upon another one 7 of said elements.

Referring now more particularly to the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the

numeral 30 indicates a head, having a water delivery orifice 31. in the usual way at the delivery end of the water distribution pipe, and is provided with an upwardly projecting and inwardly curved support 32, the free end of which is in alinement with the orifice 31. Inthis free end is rotatably mounted a spindle 33, upon which is formed a spraying wheel 34. The orifice 31 is normally closed by a valve 35, for instance a disk, that is provided at its peripheral portion with downwardly extending lugs 36, which are adapted to engage the outer face of the head 30. In the upper face of the valve 35 is centrally formed a recess 37, in alinement with a recess 38 in the hub of the wheel 34, and in these recesses are seated the pointed ends of a valve closing strut 39. This strut is made of two mem bers 40 and 41, each of which is'provided with a sidewardly projecting extension 42. In line with the recesses 37 and 38 the strut members have meeting faces 43. which are disposed in a horizontal plane. In the same I plane the extensions 42 have meeting faces 44, on which they are united by 'a fusible This head is supported" material 45. The extension of the strut member 41 is provided with an enlargement 46, having a bore or cavity 47 that is screw threaded at 48. lVith-this bore communicates an armature 49, which extends up to. the fusible materia In the bore 47 is disposed an easily expansible substance 50, for instance mercury, confined therein by a plug 51, for instance a screw, which meshes with the threads 48. In the aperture 49 is slidably disposed a plunger 52, its upper end bearing against the fusible material and its. lower end cooperating with the expansiblesubstance within the bore 47. y

The operation of this device is as follows: The two members of the strut are applied, as indicated in the drawings, to securely hold the valve in position. The plug 51 serves to confine the expansible substance 50 within the bore 47, and also to regulate the size of said bore and thus the air space above thesaid expansible substance. It is obvious that,

not the solder melts, or whether or not paint 5 or other foreign substances are lodged in the gap between the twoparts of the strut and on any other part of the sprinkler. quick separation of the two parts of the strut is insured, and this separation is wholly independent of the. softening or meltingpoint of the jointbetween the two parts thereof, or in other words the device depends for its operation on the expansion of the substance 50 occasioned by the rise of.

the temperature;

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 tot), I

inclusive, the head '30 is provided with an upwardly extending yoke 53, carrying a spraying wheel 54, which is held upon the said yoke by a screw bolt 55, the threads of which-mesh with the threads of a bore 56 in said yoke. A clamping nut 57 is provided for holding the bolt in any desired position. The wheel 54 is rotatably mounted upon the bolt, and the-position .of the latter may be changed. in relation to the-valve 35. The strut is made in this case of three parts, of which two, denoted by the numeral 58, are alike in structure. their pointed ends 59 engaging recesses 60 and 61 in the valve and screw bolt, respectively. Between these two parts of the strut is interposed a'hollow globular body 62, that. is united with the parts 58 by a fusible material 63. The inner ends of the parts 58 are recessed, as clearly shown at 64, the said recesses forming, in part, a section of a sphere, thus conforming to the configuration of the globular body 62. lVithin the globular body 62 is confined an expansible substance 65, that is placed into the same through an aperture 66, which is closed by a plug 51. This plug serves, as in the device above described, to regulate the air space within the globular body 62. On diametrically opposite points the globular body is provided with apertures 67, in which are slidably disposed plungers 68, their in ner ends being adapted to cooperate with the expansible substance and their outer ends abutting against the members 58 of the strut.

The operation of this device is similar to the one described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive. It is, however, more efficient for the reason that two plungers are applied, exerting pressure in opposite directions. Moreover the separation ofthe members 58 of the strut from the globular body 62 is quicker, inasmuch as each of the same has only one meeting face with the globular body in contradistinction to the device described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,

- in which the members of the strut abut at two separate areas.

The device illustrated in Figs. 11 to 13, inclusive, differs from the one described in connection with Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, in that the strut consists of two parts only, denoted by the numerals 69 and 70, which are united by a fusible material 71. The expansible substance 50 is" placed into a cavity 72 in the member 70. A plunger 73 and a plug 51 is provided for the above described purposes.

A further modification of the invention is shown in Figs. 14: to 16, inclusive, differing from those hereinabove described in that it lacks the plunger. In this case the strut consists of two members 74:, each of which is provided with a recess 75. The recesses of the two members are in alineme-nt with each other, thus forming a closed cavity. The two members are united by the fusible material 4:5. An expansible substance 50 is located within the cavity, and a plug 51 is made use of to regulate the air space therein. The two recesses 50 are, preferably, semi-spherical. I

The operation of this device is as follows: As the'temperature rises, the substance 50 expands, the expansion being in all directions the same inasmuch as the hollow space formed within the two members of the strut is spherical. As soon as the temperature rises to a predetermined point, the force obtained by the expansion of the substance50 will break the joint between the two members of the strut.

In the device illustrated in Figs. 17 to 19,

'tioned.

formed upon the yoke.

inclusive, the strut consists of three members, denoted in their order by the numerals 76, 77 and 78. The members 77 and 78 are united by a fusible material 45, their lower ends being pointed, as shown at 78, and project-ing into the recess 37 in the valve 35. The member 76 of the strut is provided with a spraying wheel 79, and has formed therein a, preferably, spherical cavity 80, in which is disposed the expansible substance 50. A plug 51 serves for the purposes abovemen- In the member 76 of the strut is formed a bore 81, in which is slidably located a plunger 82, having a wedge-shaped end 83. This end projects into a space 84:, formed between the strut members 7 7 and 78.

In operation, the expansion of the substance 50 forces the plunger 82 downward, the latter acting as a wedge to break the joint between the strut members 77 and 78. Inasmuch as the lower ends of the members 77 and 78 are pointed, and since, due to the formation of said strut members, their centers of gravity are disposed near'their upper ends, these members will fall off the valve as soon as the joint therebetween has been broken, thus releasing the valve.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 20 to 22, inclusive. In

this case the orifice 31 of the head 30 is closed by a valve 85, having formed thereon a spraying wheel 86. From this spraying wheel projects upward a stem 87, the upper end of which is slidably disposed in a. bore 88 in the yoke 53 upon the head. This valve is kept upon its seat by a lever 89, that is pivoted at 90 to a bracket 91, the latter being Between the lever and the stem 87 is interposed a ball 92. The outer end of the lever is joined by a fusible material 45 with an enlargement 53 upon the yoke. In'this enlargement is formed a,

preferably, globular recess 93, in which is confined an eXpansible substance 50. The air space in the recess is adjustable by a plug 51. A plunger 52 is disposed within a bore 94: in the enlargement 53, its upper end bearing against the fusible material 45,.

ies

In operation, the plunger breaks the joint 2 between the enlargement 53 and the lever 89, the water, acting upon the valve 85, forcing then the latter upward, by which operation the lever 89 is swung around its pivot 90, and the valve lifted as far as the structure will permit. p

The devices herein described are all alike in one respect, to wit: The members of their valve support or strut are separated by the expansion of a material occasioned by a rise of temperature. The said material is inclosed by one or more members of the strut, and acts either directly upon the said mem bers or by the intermediary of plungers or of the structures herein disclosed the yoke 53 is wider in cross section than the struts, whereby the said struts are protected against injury.

What I claim. is

1. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding. said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, an expansible substance within one of said members, and slidable means within said last named member in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of the temperature.

The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, an expansible substance within one of said members, slidable means within said last r named member in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of the temperature, and means for predetermining' the degree of heat at which such break takes place.

3. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for:

holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, one of said members being provided with a closed. cavity, an expansible substance within said cavity, and slidable means in the member that is provided with a cavity, said slidable means being in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature.

4. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normallyclosing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, one of said members being provided with a closed cavity, an expansible substance within said cavity, slidable means in the member that is provided with a cavity, said slidable means being in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature, and means for predetermining the degree of heat at which such break takes place.

5. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-deliv ry orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including 2.

plurality of members united by a fusible mas terial, one of said members being provided with a closed cavity, an expansible substance within said cavity, slidable means in the member that is provided with a cavity,

said slidable means being in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the oint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature, and means for. predetermining the air space in excess of the expansible substance within said cavity.

6. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusiblematerial, one of said members being provided with a cavity, aplugfor closing said cavity, an expansible substance .within said cavity and slidable means in the member that is provided with a cavity, said slidable means being in operative relation to said expansie ble substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to.

breakthe same upon the rise of temperature,

said plug serving to predetermine the air space'in excess of the expansible substance in said cavity.

7. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing: said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, one of'said members being provided with a closed cavity and having an aperture extending from the outer face thereof to said cavity, a plunger slidably disposed, within said aperture having itsouter end projecting; toward another one of said members, and an expansible substance within saidcavity, said substance being adapted to act upon said plunger upon the rise of the temperature, whereby said plunger breaks the joint formed by said fusible substance.

8. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, one of said members being provided with a closed cavity and having an aperture extending from the outer face thereof to said cavity, a plunger slidably disposed within said aperture having its outer end projecting toward another oneof said members, an expansible substance within said cavity, said substance being adapted to act upon said plunger upon the rise of the temperature, whereby said plunger breaks the joint formed by said fusible substance, andmeans for predeten; mining the degree of heat at which such break takes place. F

9. The combination with a sprinklerhead having a water-delivery orifice of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position including a plurality of members united by a fusible material, one of said members being provided with a closed cavity and having an aperture extending from the outer face thereof to said cavity, a plunger slidably disposed within said aperture having its outer end projecting toward another one of said members, an expansible substance within said cavity, said substance being adapted to act upon said plunger upon the rise of the temperature, whereby said plunger breaks the joint formed by said fusible substance, and means for predetermining the air space in excess of the expansible substance within said cavity.

10. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice,

means for holding said valve in position including a strut made of a plurality of members united by a fusible material, an expansible substance within said strut, and slidable means within said strut in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature.

11. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water-delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice,

means for holding said valve in position including a strut made of a plurality of mem bers united by a fusible material, an expansible substance within said strut, slidable means within said strut in operative relation to said expansible substance and adapted to act uponthe joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature, and means Copies of this patent may be obtained for for predetermining the degree of heat at which such break takes place.

12. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position comprising a strut including two members united by a fusible material, an expansible substance within. said strut, and slidable and within said strut in operative relation to i said expansible substance and adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature, and means for predetermining the degree of heat at which such break takes place.

14. The combination with a sprinkler head having a water delivery orifice, of a valve for normally closing said orifice, means for holding said valve in position comprising a strut including two members united by a fusible material, and means within said strut adapted to act upon the joint formed by said fusible material and to break the same upon the rise of temperature.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 30th day of June, ApD 1915.

JOSEPH KLEIDMANN.

* Washington, D. C. i

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 7 

